Anti-skid device for boots and shoes

ABSTRACT

An anti-skid cleat for the toe of a shoe or boot. The cleat is attached to the shoe or boot by means of a crossed pair of straps in an X-shaped configuration which are connected to an ankle band by means of a strap connected near the cross points of the X shape. The cross point is adjustable to fit different size shoes.

United States Patent 1191 Johnson 1 1 Oct. 1, 1974 1 ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR BOOTS AND 2,932,096 4/1960 Tavormina 36/7.7 SHOES 3,021,617 2/1962 Koch 36/7.6

[76] Inventor: Gladys M. Johnson, 1251 S. 35th St., Milwaukee, Wis. 53215 [22] Filed: Sept. 17, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 397,983

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 328,790, Feb. 1, 1973.

[52] US. Cl. 36/7.7 [51] Int. Cl A43b 3/10 [58] Field of Search 36/59 R, 7.6, 7.7

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,538,182 1 /l951 Young 36/7.6

Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or FirmAlter Weiss Whitesel & Laff [5 7 ABSTRACT An anti-skid cleat for the toe of a shoe or boot. The cleat is attached to the shoe or boot by means of a crossed pair of straps in an X-shaped configuration which are connected to an ankle band by means of a strap connected near the cross points of the X shape. The cross point is adjustable to fit different size shoes.

4 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures ANTI-SKID DEVICE FOR BOOTS AND SHOES This is a continuation in part of my earlier copending application Ser. No. 328.790. filed Feb. I. 1973.

My invention relates to an anti-skid device that may be easily applied to or removed from any conventional type of boot or shoes.

Very often, it is difficult for a person to walk on glare ice because he does not have enough traction between the sole of his shoe or boot and the surface of the ice. To overcome this problem, there have been many suggestions for attaching temporary cleats to the sole or bottom of a shoe or boot. However, they have not proved satisfactory, primarily for two reasons. First. the toe of a boot has a generally tapered shape so that the toe straps tend to slip off. Second, pivoting on the toe during normal walking places severe strain on the attachment means. Therefore, this tends to work the cleat loose from the toe. Third, prior cleats have tended to require great patience during the attachment or removal from the feet.

Since the size of shoes vary greatly, it would be most helpful to preserve the advantage of my previous invention while enabling size adjustments.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cleat which is secure when anchored and which does not pivot relative to the toe.

An object of my invention is to provide an adjustable device that is designed to securely retain cleats or spikes in a fixed position on the sole toe portion of almost any boot or shoe regardless of its size.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described that is retained in place by a single pair of straps attached to a band which is to be applied to the ankle of the user.

An advantage of my invention is that the cleats or spikes are positioned and retained on that portion of the sole of the boot or shoe that is most likely to come into direct contact with the slippery surface on which the user may walk. This is especially valuable when precipitation or temperature changes cause a moisture to form on the surface of snow or ice. Then the pavement or walk becomes particularly slippery and hazardous for the person walking thereon. Thus, the device illustrated, described and claimed herein, provides an economical and easy to use anti-skid device that may be carried in a handbag or the like.

Other and further objects of my invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the device constituting my invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the device applied to a conventional shoe which is outlined in phantom; FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the assembled device;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the device;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a modified type of unit employing two straps and having an adjustable shoe clamp portion;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the assembled device;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the device shown in FIG. 6;

and

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the assembled device. Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts and features throughout the several views. More particularly, a plate 10 may be constructed of leather or the like and equipped with a plurality of dependent studs 11, preferably constructed of metal. The studs may beof any convenient design.

There are a pair of crossed strap sections having a generally X-shaped configuration. identified as 12 and 12'. The ends of the straps are attached to plate 10 in a spaced-apart relationship. At the center of the X- shape. the straps are attached together by any suitable means. The wearer thus has the device held in engagement with his shoe with the studs 11 (See FIG. 4) dependent from the sole of his foot.

The straps l2 and 12' being pliable. and of one piece construction. extend upwardly. somewhat spirally. Their upper ends are attached to a single strap member 14, by means of rivets 15 (See FIGS. 1 and 2). or they may be sewed together. In this manner. they surround the toe portion of the shoe 16, as shown in phantom in FIG. 2.

The single strap 14 is attached by rivet or by sewing to a circular ankle band 17 at 18. The band 17 is equipped with a buckle 19 to permit it to be placed on the person wearing the unit.

From the above description, it will become apparent that the device is designed to retain the studs 11 in position at the bottom of the shoe sole in alignment with the toe portion of the shoe. The ankle band 17 may be easily applied to hold the device on the shoe. thereby retaining the studs 11 in a permanent position for their performance.

The modified embodiment shoe in FIGS. 5 to 8, inelusive, has an individual size adjustment. More particularly, two separate straps 20 and 20' are here shown as being attached to the circular ankle band 17 by means of rivets 21, and to the crossed toe strap 22 which is here shown equipped with size adjustment snaps 23. The attachments at 24 support the lower ends of the straps 20 and 20. However, the straps 20 and 20' may also be sewed to the circular band 17 and to the strap 22 if desired. The strap 22 may also be equipped with a buckle or other suitable adjustable connector (not shown), to replace the snap 23 foradjustment.

The forward strap 25 in the X-configuration is here shown attached to the strap 22 by means of the rivets 26. These two straps 22, 25 support the plates 10 and 13 which in turn support the studs 11. This way, the circumference of the toe encircling straps may be adjusted without sacrificing the toe gripping effect of the crossed straps.

Although I have shown a specific construction and arrangement of the part-s and features constituting my invention, various changes may be made without affecting the operativeness of the device. Therefore, the appended claims should be construed to cover all equivalents which do not depart from the spirit or the scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. An anti-skid boot attachment comprising a toe plate shaped to fit under only the toe portion of the sole of the boot and having studs dependent therefrom, a pair of crossed straps, each crossed strap being attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said plate and having a somewhat X-shaped configuration across the top of the boot toe, means for adjusting the circumference of the crossed straps to have a size and shape which fits over the toe of boots of different sizes, a pair of elongated straps attached at one end to the crossed straps near to but on opposite sides of the center of the X-shape with attachment being made to the parts of the crossed straps which are nearest the ankle, and an ankle strap attached to the other ends of said pair of straps.

2. An anti-skid boot attachment comprising a plate having studs dependent therefrom, a pair of crossed I straps having a somewhat X-shaped configuration.

means for adjusting the circumference of the crossed straps to a size and shape which fit over the toe of boots of different sizes, a pair of elongated straps attached at one end to the crossed straps near to but on opposite sides of the center of the X-shape with attachment corners of said plate. 

1. An anti-skid boot attachment comprising a toe plate shaped to fit under only the toe portion of the sole of the boot and having studs dependent therefrom, a pair of crossed straps, each crossed strap being attached at opposite ends thereof to opposite sides of said plate and having a somewhat X-shaped configuration across the top of the boot toe, means for adjusting the circumference of the crossed straps to have a size and shape which fits over the toe of boots of different sizes, a pair of elongated straps attached at one end to the crossed straps near to but on opposite sides of the center of the X-shape with attachment being made to the parts of the crossed straps which are nearest the ankle, and an ankle strap attached to the other ends of said pair of straps.
 2. An anti-skid boot attachment comprising a plate having studs dependent therefrom, a pair of crossed straps having a somewhat X-shaped configuration, means for adjusting the circumference of the crossed straps to a size and shape which fit over the toe of boots of different sizes, a pair of elongated straps attached at one end to the crossed straps near to but on opposite sides of the center of thE X-shape with attachment being made to the parts of the crossed straps which are nearest the ankle, said pair of elongated straps being of a length which extends from the toe to the ankle of a wearer, and an ankle strap attached to the other ends of said pair of straps.
 3. The attachment of claim 2 wherein the plate is pliable.
 4. The attachment of claim 3 wherein said plate has a generally rectangular shape and the ends of said X-shaped straps are attached in spaced relation to the corners of said plate. 